Dear HTeX Community,

Happy February! This month and beyond, we are excited to celebrate Black History Month and honor the incredible contributions of Black leaders, artists, scientists, and changemakers. Students will engage in stories, activities, and discussions that highlight the achievements and history of African Americans.

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by reading books, exploring historical figures, and celebrating the rich culture and heritage of the Black community. Thank you for your support in fostering an inclusive and inspiring learning environment!

With appreciation,

Dr. Melissa

Please mark your calendars for the following exciting events:

• February 3-7: Book Fair!

• Wednesday, February 19th: HTeX 5th Grade Parent Info Session to HTM/HTMMA 1:15-2:15

Dr. Diana Cornejo-Sanchez's Message About Safe and Welcoming School Communities

Dearest HTH Community,

At High Tech High, our students and community are at the heart of everything we do. Every single member of our community deserves to come to school feeling a deep sense of safety and belonging. This commitment has always been, and will always remain, central to who we are.

In 2017, the High Tech High (HTH) Board adopted a resolution declaring our schools as welcoming communities and we will update the resolution at our next Board of Trustees meeting. As it stands, the resolution affirms: “HTH is committed to equity and to the success of all HTH students irrespective of their immigration status, actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, and mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.”

This commitment obliges us to provide students with the environment they need to thrive—a place free from discrimination, a place of safety, and a place where confidentiality is upheld. California law reinforces our duty to deliver quality education in an environment that protects these rights.

In light of recent Presidential Executive Orders, we know that many in our community are feeling heightened anxiety and uncertainty. Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children can learn and grow without fear. However, the mere threat to students of various gender identities, and of immigration enforcement in or around schools, creates fear, disrupts learning, and undermines the foundations of our educational system. Past experience has shown that such actions can lead to students missing school, families disengaging, academic disruptions, and profound impacts on social-emotional well-being. This is not acceptable. 

At High Tech High, we stand resolute in our commitment to ensuring every member of our learning community is welcomed daily with open arms. Our schools are safe spaces where students can learn, connect with their peers and educators, and focus on their future success. We will not be deterred in our mission to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all.

We are dedicated to working with state officials, community partners, and families to protect gender identity, undocumented and mixed-status families. Together, we will continue to uphold our values of equity, inclusion, and unwavering support for all members of our community.

With gratitude and solidarity,

Dr. Diana Cornejo-Sanchez

Interim CEO

&

Gary Jacobs

Board of Trustees

The Importance of Sleep

I hope this message finds you well and well-rested. As we move into the halfway point of the academic year, I wanted to take a moment to emphasize the crucial role that sleep plays in your student's overall well-being and academic success.

Adequate and quality sleep is essential for children's physical and mental development. Research consistently shows that a good night's sleep positively impacts memory consolidation, attention span, and overall cognitive function. With the demands of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and the constant stimulation from various screens, it becomes increasingly important to establish a solid sleep routine for your child.

Here are some key reasons why prioritizing a healthy sleep routine is essential:

1.  Cognitive Performance: Quality sleep enhances concentration, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Children who are well-rested are better equipped to absorb and retain new information.

2.  Emotional Well-being: Sufficient sleep contributes to emotional regulation and resilience. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to handle stress and challenges with a positive mindset.

3.  Physical Health: A consistent sleep routine supports physical growth and development. It also strengthens the immune system, helping your child stay healthy and engaged in school activities.

4.  Behavioral Benefits: Proper rest is linked to better behavior and social interactions. Children who are well-rested are more likely to exhibit positive behaviors

and have improved interpersonal relationships.

To help your student establish a healthy sleep routine, consider the following tips:

• Consistent Bedtime: Set a regular bedtime that allows your student to get the recommended amount of sleep for their age group.

• Screen-Free Wind Down: Create a calming pre-sleep routine by avoiding electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. Instead, encourage activities like reading or quiet play.

• Comfortable Sleep Environment: Ensure your student's sleep space is comfortable, dark, and quiet. Consider a consistent bedtime routine, such as brushing your teeth or reading a bedtime story.

• Limit Stimulants: Minimize caffeine and sugary snacks, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime.

By prioritizing a good sleep routine, you are not only nurturing your student's physical and mental well-being but also setting the foundation for academic success. 

I appreciate your commitment to the well-being of our little community members.

Mental Health Supports for Explorer Students

If your child is experiencing social, emotional, and/or behavioral difficulties that are impacting them at school, wellness check-ins are available to all students as a support. Wellness check-ins can take place as needed throughout the year.

This year we will also work to offer monthly lunch bunches for students struggling to connect with their peers during unstructured times. This support will also be available to all students throughout the year.

If you have any questions about any of these supports please email Ericah Edwards at eedwards@hightechhigh.org.

Let’s continue to work together this school year to create a community that connects all students to the supports that they need and deserve!

Mental Health Supports In-Home + Community

Rady Children's and SDCOE have collaborated to create a webinar series for parents and caregivers that addresses mental health challenges faced by youth. These are a great opportunity for families to connect to resources and have some of their questions answered by clinicians. Some of the topics include bullying, self-harm, and stress/resilience. 

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/12m2SwqAJ4O0C5WPu22eKa0Y7ut6PFoob/view

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VII7yBVVSxE56QH-WEA2dZ6JKywQ79oL/view?usp=drive_link

As part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative’s (CYBHI) to improve equitable access to mental health support for all young Californians, two free programs — BrightLife Kids and Soluna — were created in partnership with CalHOPE.

• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wP4-T_E8TLewycrEVwdYIAMbPgexyzMN

Additional Resources:

• Parent Guide to Mental Health and Wellness/ Guia Para Padres de Salud y Bienstar Mental

• Call the National Parent Helpline: 1-855-4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736) to get emotional support from a trained Advocate and become empowered and a stronger parent. They are available Monday through Friday from 10 am to 7 pm

Dear HTeX Community, 

I am so excited for our book fair coming up next week February 3-7! Here are some key details about this exciting event.

We will be open every day before and after school  

• 7:30-8:15 am  

• 2:45-3:45 pm 

• *On Wednesday we will be open from 12:45-1:45 pm.

Every class will also have a scheduled opportunity to visit during school hours.

All students will receive a coupon to spend “10 Scholastic Bucks” towards a book of their choice during their visit.

Teachers have also created wish lists for their class if you would like to contribute to your classroom library.

If you cannot make it to the fair in person you can also shop online. You can also create an e wallet account for your student(s) to spend at the fair. Find out more here:  https://tinyurl.com/bookfairhomepagehtex 

We need volunteers to help work this event, if you are interested in volunteering please sign up here https://tinyurl.com/volunteer4thebookfairhtex 

Thank you so much for helping to promote our student’s love for literacy.

Best Wishes, 

Marissa on behalf of the PA

Friendly Reminders: Absences

While we love to see your children’s smiling faces in school, and regular daily attendance is important to all we do, we do want to remind you to keep students home if they are ill, particularly if they have a fever.

COVID-19 Reminder For Students

• If they are symptomatic, they should be encouraged to test and/or share with parents they should test.

• If they test positive, they should also stay home if they are symptomatic.

• They can return to school when they are also fever-free for 24-hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other non-fever symptoms are improving.

• If they test positive but are asymptomatic (no fever, and no other symptoms) they can remain at school unless symptoms develop.

• They should be encouraged to wear a mask through Day 10 (masks should be available at the front desk).

Tests

• Everyone can, once again, order four free boxes of COVID-19 tests via USPS. This can be done through this link.

Please continue to communicate with the school if your child will be absent due to illness by contacting Maggie at mfragoso@hightechhigh.org. Please notify Ms. Maggie the day of student absence.

We are looking forward to an exciting school year of learning and want to help keep our community healthy!

HTeX Community Meetings - Call for Presenters

The HTeX Community Meeting is a cherished time for our entire school community to unite, creating a space for collective learning, sharing valuable information, and celebrating the diversity and achievements within our community. It serves as a focal point where students, parents, and educators come together to strengthen the bonds that make our community special.

Our Community Meetings are co-led by our Student Ambassadors and mentor staff, Ms. Nikki, Ms. Clara, and Ms. Destiny! We hold our Community Meetings once a month on the black top.

If you are interested in presenting to our students for our school wide Community Meeting, please complete this form.This is an OUTDOOR event. Presentations will be up to 20 minutes.

We will reach out to you to follow up.

-Ms. Nikki, Ms, Clara, & Ms. Destiny

Lost & Found

Please stop by the lost & found this week. All items that are not claimed by February 7th will be donated to a local charity (Sharia’s Closet). 

High Tech Eats February Menus

Hello HTH Families,

The February breakfast & lunch menus for High Tech Eats are now available!

• View the live menu here for any updates.

• Print the attached version if you prefer a hard copy.

Valentine’s Day Potluck Reminder:

• If a Valentine’s Day potluck is planned, it will take place on Thursday, February 13th.

• Before bringing any food to school, please check with teachers first to ensure it’s allowed.

Thank you!

High Tech Eats

February Lunch (English) 

February Breakfast (English) 

February Lunch (Spanish) 

February Breakfast (Spanish) 

Hello Parents,

It has been a pleasure getting to know all the students, and the team and I are  excited to bring new ideas to the program. Everything is progressing well, and this is just the start of many exciting things ahead!

We’ve also made an important improvement to our sign-out process. Please remember to sign the sign-out sheet and include the pick-up time. This helps us monitor attendance and enhances our safety procedures.

In addition, be on the lookout for our camp sign-up form this week. We’re also thrilled to introduce our new after-school website and email address, which will make communication more accessible and efficient. There, you can find your school's web page, camp dates, and newsletters. Links are provided below.

After - school website

Htexplafterschool@hightechhigh.org

Some important information:

We will be conducting a thorough review of all enrollments, verifying FASS forms, managing billing processes, and ensuring everything is properly organized,  Please be on the lookout for invoices that will be sent via Square.

Additionally, when picking up your child, please wait to be buzzed in before entering. Once inside, sign your child out, locate their card, and scan them out. This process is essential for safety and compliance with the requirements of our ELO-P program. 

FASS INFO: Also, if you haven’t filled out the FASS form for the 2024-2025 school year, please note that High Tech High has replaced the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) applications with the new Family and School Support (FASS) form. This change aligns with the school's adoption of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows all students to receive free breakfast and lunch without needing to provide detailed household income information.

While the FASS form is simpler, it’s important for all families to complete it to help secure additional state funding that enhances educational resources and services. Your participation is vital in supporting our school community.

FASS Link: Please take 2 minutes to fill out the form linked HERE.

The HTex Afterschool Team

Copyright © High Tech Elementary Explorer. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
2230 Truxton Rd San Diego CA 92106

Questions?
Email us at htexpacommunications@gmail.com